Italy minister won't be rushed to resume calcio

Italy's interior minister Giuliano Amato has warned Serie A and B clubs the government will not be rushed into any hasty decisions regarding when to resume football in the country after last week's death of a policeman at the Catania v Palermo Sicily derby match.

Football has been suspended at all levels of the game indefinitely following the killing of Filippo Raciti, a 38-year-old father of two, who was buried on Monday.

Serie A and B club chairmen today claimed they were ready to resume playing this weekend although they oppose government plans to ban spectators from stadia not considered to have met the requisite security standards.

But Amato, a former Italian prime minister, has made it clear the government will not be rushed into resuming football.

'From the football world we will have a lot of pressure for the show to continue,' said Amato.

'We have the duty towards our law enforcers and the citizens to resist these pressures.

'The well-being of Italian families is more important than the economic interests of those who want the show to continue.'